Watch: Ozzy Osbourne Dead at 76: Black Sabbath, Jason Momoa and More React
Sharon Osbourne is feeling the support after Ozzy Osbourne‘s death.
The Osbournes alum shared her appreciation after Gavin Rossdale posted a tribute to the late Black Sabbath rocker in the wake of his passing July 22 after a years-long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 76.
“RIP OZZY – a great man -a true legend,” Gavin captioned a photo of himself with Ozzy on Instagram. “i met ozzy through jack just a few times but he was so warm and kind and funny and i love that memory .sending much love to his family at this difficult time. Rest in power.”
In the comment section of the post, Sharon wrote, “Bless you.”
It’s the 72-year-old’s first public comment since announcing her husband’s death July 22 with a joint family statement.
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,” Sharon said in a statement with kids Aimee Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Jack Osbourne, and Louis Osbourne shared to E! News. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
After news of Ozzy’s passing broke, other stars took to social media to honor the legendary rocker, including his band Black Sabbath, which wrote simply, “Ozzy Forever.”
Fellow British performer Elton John also paid tribute to Ozzy, calling him a “true legend.”
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“He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods,” the 78-year-old wrote on Instagram. “He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love.”
Meanwhile, Jason Momoa—who hosted Ozzy’s final performance earlier this month—shared a photo of himself with the musician and Sharon.
“Love you @ozzyosbourne,” the Aquaman actor captioned a picture from the milestone event on Instagram. “So grateful. RIP.”
Keep reading for more on Ozzy’s life…
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Before being known as Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Tommy Iommi performed under the name Earth.
The heavy metal band members were ready to rock as they posed for this shot.
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Ozzy, born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, in 1948, struggled with school early on. It was his passion for music that ultimately helped him move forward.
“I left school with a little more education than when I first started going,” he told The Associated Press in 2010. “Because of my dyslexia, I couldn’t learn. So, I was teased a lot by one of my sister about not bing able to read. It’s very shameful.”
“If it wasn’t for The Beatles turning me onto music in a big way, I don’t know what I would have done,” he continued. “Music has been the main thing that got me out of the area, the place I was born.”
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In 1968, he and his friends formed Black Sabbath, inspired by the film of the same name, with their self-titled debut album earning major commercial success. In 1971, he married his first wife Thelma Riley, with whom he shared kids Jessica Osbourne, Louis Osbourne and Elliot Kingsley.
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The “Paranoid” singer, donning shiny pants embellished with a snake, embraced the crowd during the band’s set at the California Jam music festival.
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Black Sabbath walked the streets of London in style.
The band performed at the iconic Hammersmith Odeon—now named the Eventim Apollo—in London.
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Tony, Ozzy, Geezer and Bill were all smiles as they showed off their silver recording certification for Technical Ecstasy.
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Ozzy was happy to sink his teeth into a macabre photo shoot. He was fired from Black Sabbath the year before due to his struggles with alcohol and drug abuse.
“Money would be the alcohol and the drugs and I behaved badly,” he said in his documentary Biography: The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne of that time. “That was one of the lowest points of my life.”
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Ozzy—as a solo artist—took the stage at Madison Square Garden for his Diary of a Madman tour, just two days after he infamously bit into a dead bat that was thrown onto the stage, which he believed was fake.
“I just thought it was a rubber bat,” Ozzy said in the documentary, “and I just put it in my mouth and crunched down. I just f–king bit into it, you know, being the f–king clown that I am [and was like], ‘Oh no! It’s real.'”
Later that year, he married his manager, Sharon Arden.
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The “Iron Man” singer, donning his iconic dark eyeliner, posed with a cigarette before a performance in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Ozzy and Sharon welcomed their first child together, Aimee Osbourne.
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Ozzy and Motlëy Crüe’s Vince Neil posed after performing for their Bark at the Moon tour. Ozzy and Sharon welcomed their daughter Kelly Osbourne.
Ozzy and Sharon, who tied the knot in 1982, were in paradise as they vacationed in Brazil. They also welcomed their son, Jack Osbourne.
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Posing for pics before a performance in Chicago on July 13, 1986.
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Ozzy at home with Sharon and their kids Kelly, Jack and Aimee.
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The British star showcased his ’80s rockstar hair for this portrait in his garden in May 1988.
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In August 1989, Ozzy’s band performed at the Moscow Music Peace Festival in Russia.
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The singer proved he was a style icon as he posed in round-rimmed sunglasses and a black and red theatrical military-inspired ensemble.
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Black Sabbath made its mark as the band members left their handprints at the Rock Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.
Ozzy sang his heart out at Terminal 1 in Munich, Germany.
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A portrait of the Osbourne family at their luxury home in Beverly Hills.
Black Sabbath proved their bond was forever as they celebrated 30 years as a band. Ozzy had rejoined one year earlier.
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In 1999, the rocker attended the unveiling of the Ozzy Osbourne Action Figure at McFarlane Toy Showroom in New York City.
The Grammy-winner rocked his signature black leather style at the 2000 Grammy Awards.
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Ozzy and Sharon’s lives were on full display for the past year as they starred in their reality TV show The Osbournes from 2002 until 2005.
Kelly proved she was daddy’s little girl as she attended Black Sabbath’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Ozzy performed at the Gods of Metal Festival in Milan, Italy.
Ozzy and Sharon attended the premiere of Amy at ArcLight Cinemas in Los Angeles.
One year later, Ozzy and Sharon had taken a break after the latter had cheated on his wife. The couple ultimately reconciled, with Ozzy sharing on Good Morning America that they were “back on track again.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had emphasized that Sharon was, in fact, the One.
“She’s the only one I’ve ever loved in my life,” he said of his wife during his documentary. “I mean, she’s my soulmate.”
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The rock legend was glowing as he announced his No More Tours II: Final World Tour during a press conference.
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Ozzy looked back at his star-studded life, realizing that he had done a lot during his 50-year career.
“I never thought I’d make it this far,” he told Rolling Stone in 2018 while reflecting on his career. “I don’t understand why I’m alive still after the hell-raising days. I guess whoever the man is upstairs, if there even is one, wants me to stick around.”
